Basketball training device

ABSTRACT

A basketball training device including one or more targets, generally a plurality of targets, featured on a strip of material located along the inside circumference of a basketball goal rim. The strip of material can include a magnetic flap that helps hold the device to the rim or the rim&#39;s frame, i.e. the back plate. The strip of material features a plurality of targets that are located in front of the inside of the basketball rim. The device allows a player to aim at a target that is on the inside of the basketball rim located directly in front of their position while shooting from any position on the court. In addition, the device trains the player to target the inside of the rim when shooting while the device is not in place.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/487,343 filed on Apr. 19, 2017. The content of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/487,343 filed on Apr. 19, 2017 is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the Invention

The present disclosure is in the technical field of sports training devices. More particularly, this disclosure is in the technical field of basketball training devices.

(b) Background Art

While basketball was invented in the United States it is currently played worldwide. An estimated 26 million people play the sport in the United States alone with untold numbers of young people learning to play every year. There are a number of different skills that a basketball player must learn, one of the most important being shooting the basketball with a high degree of accuracy.

Teaching the mechanics of the shooting process generally involves an emphasis on proper foot alignment, leg position, hand position, arm angle, and follow through. Traditionally, the process of learning to shoot a basketball with a high degree of accuracy has depended heavily on the player's own intuition, i.e., their touch or feel for the shot. This process begins and ends with the player's eyes on the target which of course is the basketball goal, but there is little to no consensus in basketball training regarding what exactly to target, i.e., at which part of the basketball goal the player should aim. With the exception of the square painted on the backboard, there is no portion of the basketball goal that serves as a visual target for the player. To throw a well-aimed shot, the basketball player aims at a circular hoop having a diameter of 18 inches and causes the ball to leave the player's hands with a significant upward arc to pass through the rim of the goal without touching the backboard or the rim itself. In other words, the player throws the ball indirectly towards the hoop.

There appears to be very little concurrence among coaches when teaching shot accuracy (SA) regarding which target point on the basketball goal for which the basketball player should aim, thereby allowing the player to properly develop muscle memory. Some players are taught to aim for the net; however, doing so by definition means the player is aiming at a point below their target. Other players are taught to aim for the outer edge of the hoop or rim; however, that is not the intended target the player wants the ball to strike. Some players even aim for a portion of the backboard again producing the same problem. Through years of coaching experience, the inventors have concluded that basketball players develop better shot accuracy and muscle memory by aiming for a visual target located inside the hoop or rim. Moreover, the inventors have concluded that most players benefit from a target that is visually present at all times, not just when they are practicing.

There are a number of devices on the market that provide players with a target that is present during practice, but is not present when the device is removed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,381 (the Hackett reference) includes a target device that consists of a yellow ball attached to strings that can be connected to the basketball rim thus suspending the ball over the center of the rim. This device guides the shooter to locate an ambiguous spot that is literally in the center of the hoop through which the ball needs to pass. However, this system trains the player to shoot the ball at target that is not there anymore when the device is removed. At that point, the player is aiming at thin air, i.e. they have no target left for which to aim and have to select new target, thus failing to capitalize on the training the player has received and the muscle memory they have developed.

There are devices such as the True Focus Target and Net that uses a ball that attaches to the netting attached to the rim of the basketball goal. These designs are inferior and problematic in that they teach the player to focus on a target on the outside of the netting. Players that train to shoot for the wrong part of the goal will almost certainly have issues performing outside practice. In addition, once this device is removed, the player has no specific visual target for which to aim when shooting. They can still see the netting, but generally aiming directly for the netting itself is an error. In addition, the device does not work at all with a basketball goal lacking netting.

Another device consists of a post that mounts to the portion of the rim that attaches the rim to the backboard of the goal, i.e. the back plate. The post protrudes above the rim of the basket and is visible to a player targeting the goal. Similar to the devices above, the player using this device trains using a target that will not be present in a live game. During such a game, the player will have to select a new target, failing to capitalize on the training they have received and the muscle memory they have developed in practice.

The inventors have found that it is useful if a player targets the inside portion of the basketball rim that is directly opposed to their line of view. As a result, the inventors have concluded there is a need for a target that is present in the player's line of sight regardless of where they are on the court when they aim their shot, thereby making every shot about as simple as throwing a free throw. A device that provides a single target does not provide a target that is directly opposed to or in front of the player when he or she faces the basket because it will always be positioned in one particular place. Further, the inventors have developed a device that does not restrict the use of the rim during play, i.e., the device does not provide an obstruction to the ball passing through the rim.

As a result, the inventors have developed a device that can be used to train players to properly aim their shots by presenting a target on the inside of the basketball rim that is visible from any position on the court and always directly faces the player on the inside of the rim directly in front of or opposite the player regardless of their point of shot release. In addition, since the targets presented by this device align with the eyelets that are present on most basketball rims, the player device causes a player to train to aim for a portion of the basketball rim that is still present when the device is removed. This solves the problem of a player needing to shift aim to another target when shooting with the device removed. When the rim facing the player does not feature eyelets, the player still has the portion of the rim that is directly in front of them in the 12 o'clock position at which to aim.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a training device to be used to train players to target the inside of the rim of a basketball goal when shooting a basket. Preferred embodiments of the device include one or more targets that are presented to the player along the inside of the basketball rim. In such embodiments, the targets are featured along a length of material that is shaped and sized or configured to be placed along the inside rim of a basketball goal. In some of the embodiments, the length of material contains magnetic material that will assist in securing the device to the rim of a basketball goal. In some of the preferred embodiments, the strip of material also contains a flap portion that overlaps the back plate, i.e. the square or rectangular plate that is approximately 5 inches by 5 inches and is located between the cylinder of the rim and the backboard. In some embodiments, this flap portion is made of or contains magnetic material as well. In other embodiments, this flap portion is attached to the back plate using conventional fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, screws, nuts and bolts and/or adhesives. In still further embodiments, the device is integrated with or permanently attached to the rim and/or back plate of a basketball goal.

In some preferred embodiments and the best mode of this device, the targets are located such as to be directly in front of and lined up with the eyelets to which the netting attaches. This configuration allows the player to train to target the inside of the rim which will still have a visual marker present when the device is removed, i.e. the eyelet or the inside of the rim. Moreover, the device trains players to focus on the portion of the inside of the rim that is directly in front of them, rather than focusing on a target that is fixed in one position in front of the backboard, over the netting or attached to the netting itself. When the eyelets are not present on the rim, players that have trained with this device will aim at the portion of the inside of the rim that is directly opposed to them, i.e. in the 12 o'clock position with respect to their position. In preferred embodiments, the length of material has a plurality of targets featured on its surface so that a player can see a target directly in front of them regardless of the angle at which they are facing the basket. A skilled artisan will appreciate that the targets themselves can be of any number of known configurations including the standard bullseye target. The device can be attached to the rim using any number of known fastening means including hooks, screws, nuts and bolts, straps, and hook and loop fasteners. In preferred embodiments, these attachment means are configured or located to be in place to attach to either the rim or the eyelets on the rim and the targets are ideally aligned with those eyelets.

In other embodiments of this device, the device can be equipped with a pressure sensor, a CPU or processor and/or a transmitter. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor transmits data to the processor when an object, such as a basketball, strikes the device causing the pressure sensor to detect the impact caused by the object. The processor can be programmed to transmit data to an external device via the transmitter. The external device can be a device equipped with a receiver and/or a processor so that the device receives and processes or acts on the signal from the transmitter in the device. Such an arrangement would allow the coupling of the targeting device with an external device such as a laptop computer or cell phone with a processor programmed to track information received from the processor via the transmitter. In addition, the device can feature a storage device, such as a USB drive, hard drive or some other form of electronic memory so that the information collected can be stored and accessed at a later time. Such an arrangement will allow the player to access, view and possibly manipulate the data collected by the targeting device.

In still further embodiments involving the pressure sensor, processor(s) and transmitter, the targets may have one or more lights and/or speakers integrated into the device or in electrical communication with the device. Furthermore, a processor can be programmed to activate an alarm or a speaker or both when the device detects a basketball hitting the device. An external processor can be equipped or programmed with software and hardware that tracks and stores data about the player's shooting.

Another preferred embodiment consists of a targeting device as described above permanently integrated with or attached to a basketball rim. Such a system would necessarily be used for training purposes only and the rim and frame with the targeting device can be sold as a single unit.

Another preferred embodiment of this device includes a combination of any of an alarm, a transmitter and/or a processor, either integrated into the device or located in a separate device such as a computer, cell phone or external display. In some preferred embodiments, the pressure sensor integrated or operably connected to the length of material featuring targets is operably connected to a transmitter that transmits data to an external processor located in a separate device. This arrangement will allow the user to receive feedback regarding their performance with the training device. Another similar arrangement involves equipping the pressure sensor with a transmitter that is capable of sending a signal to an external alarm. Of course, a skilled artisan would recognize that the transmitter, processor and/or alarm need not be physically integrated into the training device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a basketball training device;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a basketball training device;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a basketball training device; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a basketball training device in relation to the rest of the basketball court.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 shows the inventive Basketball Training Device in isolation. The device, generally 10, includes a length of material 11 with a width that exceeds its height. Ideally, the length of material 11 is configured to be placed along the inside of the rim (not shown) of a basketball goal. The length of material 11 features a plurality of targets 12 along its length. As a result, in preferred embodiments, when the device 10 is placed along the inner circumference of a basketball rim 15, a player viewing the device 10 from a distance will see several targets 12 featured along the inside of the basketball rim 15. At any place on the court, the player should be able to see one of the targets 12 featured on the length of material 11 directly in front of or opposed to the player (see FIG. 4). As a result, the device 10 assists the player in training to shoot by aiming at the target 12 along the inside of the rim 15. In the preferred embodiments of this device, the length of material 11 has one or more attachment points 13 located generally along or near the one edge of the length of material 11. These attachment points 13, in preferred embodiments, are holes through which a conventional fastener can be placed to secure the device to the rim. Generally, the targets are positioned such that they align and cover the eyelets (not shown) on the basketball rim 15. As a result, the player is left with a visual target, i.e. the eyelet, at which to aim when the device is not in place.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 2 there is shown the basketball training device attached to a basketball rim 15. As discussed above, the training device 10 is inserted into the basketball rim 15 such that it extends along the inner circumference of the rim 15. FIG. 2 also shows a flap 14 that is attached to an edge of the device 10, generally the edge that is on top when one is facing the targets on the device 10. This flap 14 allows the device 10 to be secured to the basketball goal at a point other than the eyelets (not shown) if present helping to hold the device 10 in place. More specifically, the flap 14 is shaped to engage with and fit over the back plate 17. In preferred embodiments, this flap 14 is made of a magnetic material to help secure it to the frame and it is generally the same shape and size as the back plate 17.

In addition, FIG. 2 shows the plurality of targets 12 featured on the surface of the length of material 11 that is facing the inside of the basketball rim 15. As discussed above, when the length of material 11 is placed inside the basketball rim 15, the targets 12 are facing away from the backboard (not shown) allowing them to serve as visual targets for players shooting the ball at the goal. In preferred embodiments, the targets 12 are positioned such that they line up with and directly cover the eyelets that are part of a lot of basketball goals. As a result, the player using the device will train to aim at a portion of the goal or rim 15 that is still visible even after the training device 10 is removed as a player aiming for the location at which they are used to seeing targets will see the eyelet 16 of the rim 15 or the inside of the rim 15 when the device 10 and targets 12 are no longer present. Even if the player familiar with this device 10 is faced with a basketball rim that does not feature eyelets, the player's gaze will be drawn to and focus on the inner circumference of the rim.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the training device 10 is again seen engaged with the basketball goal, specifically the basketball rim 15. FIG. 3 shows the device from a top perspective view, i.e., looking down at the goal. As previously discussed, when in place, the device 10 extends along the length of the inner surface of the basketball rim 15. As a result of this positioning, a player facing the goal can see a plurality of targets 12. In preferred embodiments, the targets 12 are bullseye images, but any visual marking will suffice to serve as a target 12. Because there are multiple targets 12 featured along the length of material 11, a player can look straight towards the basketball rim 15 and find a target 12 directly facing them, regardless of where on the court they are standing.

FIG. 3 also shows the flap 14 more clearly. In preferred embodiments, the device has a flap 14 or flat section that fits over the back plate of the frame. This flap 14 may be attached to the frame using any number of conventional means including magnets, hook and loop fasteners, and adhesives. However, in some preferred embodiments, the device is removably attached to the frame as a result of the flap 14 containing magnetic material capable of adhering to a metal surface. This allows for quick and easy installation of the device.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the device in relation to the court and players on the court. As previously discussed, the device 10 features a length of material 11 that fits and sits along the circumference of the basketball rim—in the anticipated best mode of this device, the length of material is seated along the inner circumference of the rim. The length of material 11 can be made of any durable polymer or fabric or any other material that is both flexible enough to be bent and sturdy enough to withstand repeated impacts from a basketball. More importantly, FIG. 4 shows how the device provides a target inside the rim regardless of from where on the court the player views the goal. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows a player in seven different positions around the basketball goal. From each of those seven positions, the player is directly facing at least one of the targets 12 featured on the length of material 11. Similarly, when the device 10 is removed, the player can locate the eyelet (not shown) on the rim that is most directly in front of them. Alternately, when there are no eyelets on the rim 15, the player simply aims their shot at the portion of the rim 15 that is directly in front of them in the 12 o'clock position.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, the ability to provide a training device to a basketball player that is portable and easy to remove and take to another location. In addition, this device is designed to teach players to aim for the inside of the basketball rim; a target these inventors have found most reliably works for most basketball players. In addition, because the device partially encircles the inner circumference of the goal's rim, the targets acclimate players to aiming for the inside of the rim where the rim's eyelets are generally located. As a result, when the device is removed, the player still has a visual target to aim for, i.e. the eyelet or the inside of the rim.

Reference throughout the specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

It is understood that the above described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode, is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing description.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A sports training device for use with a basketball goal having a rim comprising at least one target positioned along the circumference of the basketball rim.
 2. The sports training device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of targets positioned along the circumference of the basketball rim.
 3. The sports training device of claim 2 wherein the plurality of targets is positioned along the inner circumference of the basketball rim.
 4. The sports training device of claim 3 wherein the plurality of targets are featured on an annular strip of material.
 5. The sports training device of claim 4 wherein the targets are positioned in front of eyelets located along the circumference of the basketball rim.
 6. The sports training device of claim 1 further comprising at least one pressure sensor integrated into the at least one target.
 7. The sports training device of claim 5 further comprising at least one pressure sensor integrated into the annular strip of material featuring a plurality of targets.
 8. The sports training device of claim 6 wherein the at least one pressure sensor is operably connected to an alarm that is activated when the pressure sensor detects pressure.
 9. The sports training device of claim 7 wherein the at least one pressure sensor is operably connected to an alarm that is activated when the pressure sensor detects pressure.
 10. The sports training device of claim 6 further comprising a transmitter operably connected to the pressure sensor; said transmitter being configured to send a signal to a processor.
 11. The sports training device of claim 10 wherein the processor is located in a separate device.
 12. The sports training device of claim 6 wherein the pressure sensor is operably connected to a transmitter configured to send a signal to an alarm located in a separate device.
 13. The sports training device of claim 7 wherein the pressure sensor is operably connected to a transmitter configured to send a signal to an alarm located in a separate device.
 14. The sports training device of claim 7 wherein the pressure sensor is operably connected to a transmitter configured to send a signal to a processor located in a separate device.
 15. A system for training a player to properly aim a basketball at a basketball goal having a rim comprising: equipping the basketball rim with a plurality of targets such that at least one of the targets is facing a player located on a basketball court regardless of where on the court the player is located; instructing the player to aim at the target most directly facing the player when shooting the basketball at the basketball goal.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of targets aligns with a structure on the basketball rim such that the player shoots the basketball at the structure when they shoot the basketball at the target most directly facing them.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of targets is positioned along the inner circumference of the basketball rim.
 18. The system of claim 17 further comprising equipping the targets with at least one pressure sensor operably connected to an alarm configured to sound when the target is struck.
 19. The system of claim 15 wherein the plurality of targets is positioned along the inner circumference of the basketball rim.
 20. The system of claim 19 further comprising equipping the targets with at least one pressure sensor operably connected to an alarm configured to sound when the target is struck. 